KPDSB launches new section of website for Mental Health supports, checks in on Capital Projects for 2017-18

10 May. 2018

Media Release - May 10, 2018

Trustees met at the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board’s Kenora Board Office on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, for a regular board meeting.

The May Kids Come First presentation titled ‘Students with Abilities and Special Education Co-op Program – Beaver Brae Secondary School’ was received by Trustees. Beaver Brae Secondary School’s Vice-Principal Lisa Achilles was joined by students and community members to talk to Trustees about a new Special Education Co-op being offered at Beaver Brae this school year. Goals of the program include preparing students for employment, and educating community employers on opportunities for hiring students and their ability to be valuable contributors to the employment sector. Community partnerships are crucial to the program, in particular is the school’s partnership with the Kenora Association of Community Living (KACL). Trustees heard firsthand the pride and enjoyment felt by the students, as well as the close bonds between the students, their mentors and program/school staff.

Candice Kerkermeier, Mental Health Lead, presented the Children’s Mental Health Update. Kerkermeier presented a new section on the KPDSB’s website for Mental Health resources and support in recognition of Mental Health Week (May 7-11). Included in the new section is links to:

Steve Parker, Assistant Manager of Facility Planning and Development, presented the 2017-2018 Capital Projects Update. Parker updated Trustees on on-going and planned work on KPDSB classrooms and schools for the school year. Major projects include completion of Sioux North High School in Sioux Lookout, a major renewal of Beaver Brae Secondary School’s (Kenora) Technology wing, major renewal of Ear Falls Public School, and installing tunable LED lighting in all KPDSB schools. Parker also spoke to new applications available to monitor school and building systems to reduce utility consumption with an added benefit of classroom access to the application for teaching and learning, as well as work in a handful of elementary schools through the Childcare Capital Grant.

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Beaver Brae Bronco Cheerleaders to return to World Cheerleading Championships in Florida

16 May. 2018

Media Release - May 16, 2018

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board wishes to congratulate the Beaver Brae Bronco Cheerleaders and their coaches who will once again be representing the Manitoba Association of Cheerleading (MAC) and Northwestern Ontario at the 2019 High School World Cheerleading Championships at Disney World in Florida. The event takes place in February 2019.

In yet another milestone for the team, the Bronco Cheerleaders have received the Paid Bid to the event. The Paid Bid means that MAC will cover the costs of accommodations, park passes and all registration fees for the team. The Bronco Cheerleaders had previously received At Large Bids in 2017 and 2018 (meaning the cost to attend had to be covered by the team and/or school).

The Cheerleading Program at Beaver Brae expanded this school year to a team of 26 athletes, up from 19 during their previous visit to the world stage. To date, the team has won numerous events and awards, including their most recent gold medal at the MAC Provincials last weekend in Winnipeg and the highest score in Senior School Cheer.

Deb Allan, Head Coach for the Broncos Cheer Team, credits the team’s unprecedented achievement at previous World Championships and here at home to the hard work and dedication of each and every student on the team, the support of their families, teachers and Bronco Alumni coaches, as well as Beaver Brae’s Bronco Cheer Academy. Beaver Brae has also announced a new Artistic Sports Physical Education credit for the 2018-2019 school year.

Allan stated “The standards, expectations and opportunities that we provide through Bronco Cheerleading not only builds exceptional athletes and students, but also prepares these young women for perseverance and success in their future.”

Tracey Benoit, Principal of Beaver Brae Secondary School, added “Deb is a committed coach who has brought our Bronco Cheer Team to a world class level. She has an extensive background which has allowed her to mentor many Bronco Alumni and create a strong coaching community. Deb’s philosophy is one of inclusion where she focuses on creating a supportive and positive environment for her team. We’re proud of her and our hard working athletes and look forward to seeing them compete at the Worlds in 2019.”

Background

The Beaver Brae Bronco Cheerleaders won their first bid to the High School World Cheerleading Championships in February 2016. The team was adjudicated in Winnipeg by a representative from the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA), and shortly after, the Broncos were invited by the International Cheer Union to enter a second event at the world championships called Game Day, making the BBSS Broncos the first international team to compete in the event.

During that first visit to the world stage, the Bronco Cheer Team won a Bronze medal in the Junior Varsity division and were a finalist in the Game Day championship, winning a Silver Nations Cup.

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KPDSB announces administration appointments for 2018-2019 school year

30 Apr. 2018

Media Release - April 30, 2018

Trustees met at Lillian Berg Public School on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, for a regular Board Meeting (the original April Board Meeting had been postponed from April 10, 2018).

On behalf of the KPDSB Senior Administration Team, Superintendent Caryl Hron presented the 2018-2019 Administration Report. The following appointments were announced.

Appointment of Vice-Principal at Red Lake District High School to be announced at a later date

Sean Monteith, Director of Education, said “On behalf of the entire Senior Administration Team I would like to congratulate these individuals on their assignments and their milestone achievements; and in doing so continue to recognize the depth of leadership in the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board.”

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KPDSB Chair and Vice-Chair Acclaimed, Trustee Appointments Announced

13 Dec. 2017

Media Release - December 13, 2017

Trustees of the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board met at Dryden High School on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, for the inaugural board meeting.

The Board of Trustees acclaimed Trustee Dave Penney as Chair and Trustee Cecile Marcino as Vice-Chair.

The following Trustee appointments were made:

Trustee Barb Gauthier was appointed to the Executive Committee for the period of December 12, 2017 to April 13, 2018, and Trustee Dave Wilkinson was appointed to the Executive Committee for the period of April 23, 2018 to November 30, 2018.

Trustees Barb Gauthier, Roger Griffiths and George Seaton were appointed to the Audit and Finance Committees for a one year term.

Trustees Jennifer Kitowski and Gerald Kleist were appointed to the Indigenous Education Advisory Council (IEAC) for a one year term.

Trustees Lesley Barnes and Dave Wilkinson were appointed to the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) for a one year term.

Trustees Cecile Marcino and Barb Gauthier were appointed to the Early Years Advisory Committee (EYAC) for a one year term.

Trustees Lesley Barnes and Michelle Guitard were appointed to the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) for a one year term.

Trustee Michelle Guitard was appointed to the Transportation Policy Committee for a one year term.

Trustee Jennifer Kitowski was appointed to the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) Board of Directors.

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EQAO Executive Team completes visit to KPDSB Schools

09 Apr. 2018

Media Release - April 9, 2018

We were pleased to welcome members of the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) to our schools last week.

Dr. Steven Reid, Chief Assessment Officer for EQAO, and members of the EQAO Executive Team visited KPDSB schools in Kenora, Dryden, Ignace, Red Lake, Ear Falls, and Sioux Lookout. They were also welcomed to Lac Seul First Nation to tour schools and meet with leadership in the community.

Staff and students from all areas of the Board were given the opportunity to meet with the EQAO Executive Team to share their experiences in education in Northwestern Ontario and specifically, with the provincial standardized tests. All students in Ontario are required to write the provincial assessments in Grade 3 and 6 (Reading, Writing and Math), Grade 9 (Math) and Grade 10 (Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test, a requirement for students to attain their Ontario Secondary School Diploma).

Reid had the following to say about his team’s visit, “In light of our commitment to modernizing EQAO assessments, our team was eager to learn more about realities and experiences in Northern Ontario. Director of Education, Sean Monteith, and his team were gracious hosts, taking us all across the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board to connect with students, staff and community members. We were honoured that so many people took the time to share their understandings, as well as their thoughts and hopes for the future.

“It is important to offer all students across Ontario equitable opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge and skills, and EQAO gained valuable insights in speaking with KPDSB students, staff and community members. EQAO’s commitment to the future will reflect learnings from our visit, and we will continue to listen to perspectives from across the province as we develop assessments that are more student-focused, easily accessible and engaging. Our team has left with a great gift of knowledge. Miigwech KPDSB!”

Sean Monteith, Director of Education for the KPDSB added “For two full days, members of the EQAO Executive Team traveled throughout the entire district and met with staff, administration, parents, and most importantly our students, to look at how the realities and experiences unique to Northwestern Ontario might be reflected in the types of questions they are assessed on. Our kids are just as gifted and capable as any in all of Ontario. They should be able to share their experiences with the value they deserve; the fact EQAO and their leadership recognized this and came to see firsthand validates this. We are grateful for their time with us in the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board.”